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The Hogfarmers have a growing history in the DMV
Back in 2020, Hogs Haven put the spotlight on a group of Redskins fans who were committed to broadening their fandom to help support local area children and families battling pediatric cancer.
We’ve re-visited the group and its activities from time-to-time.
Today, we want to return to the Hogfarmers story to update you again on what’s happening with the group and its activities.
Here’s part of what I wrote in 2020:
I…asked for more information about how the three of them met and got started, and got a fairly brief reply.
“Honestly, we are just three guys that connected through being Die-hard Redskins fans and social media. We would chat about being more than just fans that could give back to our community.”
I realized immediately that I had things wrong in my head. I was thinking of writing an article about K.J., Chris and Jeff.
Of course, the story is about the the need to support sick children and their families. That’s how the Hogfarmers want it, I imagine.
These three guys are very very active in support of families and children impacted by pediatric cancer. They sponsor raffles; they organize events; they appear at other people’s events; they visit kids; they send Redskins paraphernalia and gift baskets filled with practical items for the children and families, and they make contact — tons of contact — via social media. Frequently, they arrange for messages of support to come from, not only the HogFarmers themselves, but Redskins players, and they constantly encourage others to reach out with a message of support for the children who are fighting for their lives.
The Hogfarmers have undergone some major upgrades since Hogs Haven first highlighted them back in 2020. Originally a tight-knit crew of three die-hard fans, this dedicated nonprofit charity organization has grown its roster and expanded its reach across the nation.
While the team on the field rebranded to the Washington Commanders, the mission of the Hogfarmers remains exactly the same: combining a passion for football with fierce compassion for children and families fighting pediatric cancer.
Here is how the group has evolved over the last several years.
A growing roster: From three guys to seven strong
When I first interviewed the group six years ago, the Hogfarmers were operated entirely by founders Chris Bryant, Jeff Rinehart, and K.J. Thomas. As their community footprint has expanded, so has the need for backup.
Today, the foundation has grown to an even larger group of dedicated individuals who volunteer their time, energy, and enthusiasm to manage the day-to-day operations, organize nationwide fundraisers, and coordinate hospital morale visits.
Massive growth in community activities & fundraising
The scope of what The Hogfarmers can provide has skyrocketed. While they still send out custom jerseys, iPads, and sweet treats, they have established massive annual cornerstone events to provide direct financial relief to families facing staggering medical costs:
- The Annual Bob Earley Memorial Golf Tournament: Teaming up with local families in Suffolk, Virginia, the group hosts a massive Annual Bob Earley Memorial Golf Tournament. The 2026 event successfully funneled 70% of its total proceeds directly into the Hogfarmers Charitable Foundation to provide direct financial aid to cancer families.
- The Holiday Program: The scale of their giving has reached impressive milestones. During their recent winter holiday push, the Hogfarmers distributed over $15,000 in seasonal support, which included $10,000 in direct grant checks to families to alleviate everyday basic costs during treatment.
- Commanders Player Partnerships: The group has heavily integrated with active Washington players. Former offensive lineman Charles Leno Jr. partnered with the group through his Beyond the Entertainer foundation to grant special athlete-interaction wishes and purchase birthday gifts for sick children. Active Washington Commanders players, including Brandon Coleman and John Bates, support the foundation by featuring it in the NFL’s “My Cause, My Cleats” campaign.
The 100% volunteer-run Hogfarmers organization offers community engagement through their Lemonade Stand Program, annual memorial walk, and direct online donations. For even more information about the creative ways that Hogfarmers supports kids & families affected by pediatric cancer, visit this page on their website: HOW YOUR DONATION HELPS
Keeping the mission personal
Despite growing into an organization that supports dozens of families nationwide, they still focus on the individual children. Whether they are welcoming a new child into the “Hogfarmers Family” with tailored care packages filled with Fortnite or Spider-Man toys, or funding gas and food cards, they make sure no family fights alone.
If you want to help these heroes continue to make a tangible difference in the lives of children fighting for their lives, you can check out their updated portal at the official Hogfarmers Charity Website.
CLICK TO DONATE
I can tell you from personal experience that donating is easy. If you can afford to do so, it would be great if you click on the link above and make a one-off donation or sign up to contribute monthly.
